First Impressions Are Everything

Everyone knows the saying that first impressions are everything. This is why we take pains to groom ourselves with extra care for first dates, interviews, meeting the significant other's family for the first time. This is also why, when it comes to our home, we make every effort to clean it when expecting company (or apologize when it isn't!).

A first impression that not many people think of though is the first impression a person gets when walking into your home for the first time. Half of HGTV's shows these days are all about this though. "Designed To Sell" and "Get It Sold" both are about the art of how a simple transformation can drastically improve the impression of real estate buyers.

The main staircase often gets overlooked as a potential makeover piece because people don't realize how dramatic the effect can be when it is completely redone. The stair treads, risers, and railing system of a gorgeous house can often look dinky in comparison to the rest of the beauty that is around you. If just the initial newel and fitting are changed, it is incredible the amount of impact you get for your buck. Take a look at these Before and After pictures to see what I am talking about.

This is the starting newel in my parents' house before they had their railing replaced and steps recrafted. They had a standard oak post-to-post starting newel, with a pre-assembled rake rail. The oak had faded over the years due to the exposure from the sun that comes directly into the main foyer.

In this picture you can see how the railing has been changed. The system has been changed to an over-the-post railing system, but keeping the rake pre-assembled railing system design. Looks completely different, eh? Stay tuned for some more pictures later on of how changing your stair and railings can change the look of your home.

Transforming a Renaissance Home Kitchen

ReCrafting? What is that?

The hallmark product of Signature WoodCrafters is our exclusive ReCrafting technique for both Kitchens and Stairs.

This technique allows the homeowner to experience beautifully crafted products within their home for a fraction of the cost of complete replacements, remodels, or tear-outs. And not only is it a fraction of the cost, but it also takes less time to install than any of those home-improvement options.

Stair ReCrafting is a process that places solid hardwood treads and risers over the current sub-structure of your staircase. You can also replace the railings if you want, and it is actually recommended that if you have an open or curved staircase with the balusters sitting on top of the stair tread, that you do replace the railings.

Kitchen ReCrafting is comparable to the more common known techinque of kitchen refacing. Most homeowners that are happy with the layout of their kitchen, but want to update the look of their kitchen often choose to reface their kitchen. Refacing typically consists of changing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with brand new doors and drawer fronts and applying a laminate tape veneer on all exposed face frames, both exterior and interior.

Where ReCrafting differs from refacing, is that we do not apply a cheap laminate veneer that will chip and fade over time. We use solid 1/4" hardwood moldings on your exterior face frame, while also replacing your cabinet doors drawers with solid hardwood doors and drawer fronts. For the same amount of money that you would consider spending on having your kitchen refaced, Signature WoodCrafters can provide you with a much superior product. A ReCrafted kitchen will typically take 1 to 2 days for installation, unless you include a countertop replacement, at which the lead time increases to 3-5 business days.

For more information on the benefits of ReCrafting, visit our website, www.signaturewoodcrafters.com!

Welcome!

Welcome everyone to the new Signature WoodCrafters blog!

It is only fitting that the new consumer-direct division of Signature Companies should have a voice that reaches out to its consumers - hence, this blog. We are looking forward to advancing the communication lines between us and our customers, and sincerely hope that this will provide a forum to do so. A bit of information about us:

As the tag line of our blog states, Signature WoodCrafters is the new consumer-direct division of Signature Companies, a 25-year old company that supplies cabinetry, stairways and railings, built-in cabinetry, and countertops to the Mid-Atlantic region. We are home of the new Stair and Kitchen ReCrafting - two products that separate us from your normal, run-of-the mill kitchen refacing/remodeling companies, and flooring companies that inadequately supply you with a hardwood solution to your carpeted stairs.

We have had some incredible success so far, participating in three home shows and launching several marketing campaigns throughout the Northern Virginia area. Check out these Before and After pictures from a couple of our completed jobs and contact us today at info@signaturewoodcrafters.com to find out how you can get a free, no-obligation estimate for our ReCrafting services! Be sure to visit our website also at http://www.signaturewoodcrafters.com/ for more information about our products!

STAIR RECRAFTING

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KITCHEN RECRAFTING

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